Have you decided to rejuvenate the appearance of your worn staircase? Here's what you need to do to prepare and paint it, in order to get a great looking staircase.

If you have a wooden staircase, and you are determined to restore it yourself, give it a fresh and clean look with a painted finish. 

What tools and materials do I need to paint my staircase?

80-grit sandpaper (for old and rough paint),

Fine sandpaper,

Wood primer,

Floor paint,

Paint brushes.

Tips & Tricks

Let's assume that your staircase is plain wood and you've just removed the carpet. Next, you have to sand the staircase with the 80-grit sandpaper if the paint is old and very difficult to remove.

Certainly, you will need a good quality paint for your stairs, that's why we recommend starting the painting process by applying a wood primer first. 

When it comes to choosing the best staircase paint, floor paint is the best option, it comes in a variety of colours, it is hard-wearing, easy to clean and stain resistant. 

Get a good quality brush for the work to ensure an easy process without any brush marks.

Your paint will last longer if you apply several thin coats, as opposed to one thick coat.

Step 1: Staircase preparation

Make sure you've removed any nails or staples left. Sand the staircase with the rough sandpaper, remove the old paint and level the surface of the staircase. Use a mouse sander to make sure that you get into all the corners, don't miss the risers and the treads. Continue with the finer sandpaper and smooth the surface.

After you've finished with the sanding process, clean the stairs with water diluted detergent and make sure you remove any grease and dust. Rinse with water and allow some time for the wood to dry completely. Please note that this may need a day or two.

Step 2: Paint the staircase

Once the wood is dry, start painting the stair with a coat of wood primer, this will make the paint adhere to the surface and prevent the wood from absorbing too much paint. Next, wait for the primer to dry, re-sand it with the fine sandpaper, and clean off any dust. Continue with your top coat, keep it smooth and ensure that the paint won't drip down the risers.

Apply multiple thin coats and check the suggested dry times given on the paint tin. After you apply the last coat, make sure you allow at least 24 hours before walking on the stairs.

Step 3: Staircase painting styles

Some may choose to paint their staircase plain white, others may decide to go for a strong colour or even multiple colours, there are so many styles that you can choose. A stylish pattern to use would be different colours paint for the staircase centre and edges, however, make sure that you apply the brightest one first and allow it to dry prior to marking the lines and carrying on with the darkest colour. Follow the above process to make sure that you give your staircase a perfect finish.